Redwood Incubators - Information, help, for sale and wanted

[SharkmanDan]

Looks like the egg turners are all there.  Those are manual egg turners.  A couple times a day, you move the wooden sticks to move the eggs.

Ok, I see it now. They were in backwards, when I picked it up. That makes more sense.
Alright, now figuring out how to replace this heating and control system, with something that looks a bit more modern and accurate, seems to be the next order of business after a thorough cleaning. Does anyone recommend anything in particular, to clean it with? I've heard vinegar and water with lemon and cinnamon for scent works well to clean and disinfect.
As far as heating and circulation, I was thinking of a 225 watt heating element, and a 117VAC 5" (what we call in ham radio) muffin fan. But, adding the thermostat and an indicator light, are where I get lost.
I have a small 12VDC ceramic element heater/defroster, that I used to use as a truck driver, and that little box of joy (it's about the same height as, and about 2" wider than, a radar detector) would keep the cab of a truck, in very cold weather, in the mid 60's to the mid 70's. It might be able to work as both heating and circulation, in the incubator, off of a good 12VDC power supply, which I also have. So, do I get this ( https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=149 ) from GQF, and just plug it in to my power supply? If I were to use this, I'm thinking of something the cuts the 12VDC instead, as the bleeder capacitors in the power supply, tend to take their time shutting down. That could cause a short term, but frequent, over temp condition, that I wouldn't want.
I kind of like the idea of an old cabinet incubator, but with modern controls. If anyone has successfully done a similar conversion, I'd really like to hear from them.

 

[GAQuail]

Ok, I see it now. They were in backwards, when I picked it up. That makes more sense.
Alright, now figuring out how to replace this heating and control system, with something that looks a bit more modern and accurate, seems to be the next order of business after a thorough cleaning. Does anyone recommend anything in particular, to clean it with? I've heard vinegar and water with lemon and cinnamon for scent works well to clean and disinfect.
As far as heating and circulation, I was thinking of a 225 watt heating element, and a 117VAC 5" (what we call in ham radio) muffin fan. But, adding the thermostat and an indicator light, are where I get lost.
I have a small 12VDC ceramic element heater/defroster, that I used to use as a truck driver, and that little box of joy (it's about the same height as, and about 2" wider than, a radar detector) would keep the cab of a truck, in very cold weather, in the mid 60's to the mid 70's. It might be able to work as both heating and circulation, in the incubator, off of a good 12VDC power supply, which I also have. So, do I get this ( https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=149 ) from GQF, and just plug it in to my power supply? If I were to use this, I'm thinking of something the cuts the 12VDC instead, as the bleeder capacitors in the power supply, tend to take their time shutting down. That could cause a short term, but frequent, over temp condition, that I wouldn't want.
I kind of like the idea of an old cabinet incubator, but with modern controls. If anyone has successfully done a similar conversion, I'd really like to hear from them.

Incubator warehouse sells a thermostat/heater combo called a Incukit. There is one that is made for cabinet incubators. www.incubatorwarehouse.com

 

[SharkmanDan]

Incubator warehouse sells a thermostat/heater combo called a Incukit. There is one that is made for cabinet incubators. www.incubatorwarehouse.com

Odd, after posting, and a quick Bing search, I was looking at that very setup, likely as you were typing. Thank you.
Yep, I think this is the configuration I want. For now, a cookie sheet, with wet sponges will provide humidity, but, eventually, I like the idea of their automatic humidifier, too.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/incukit-xl.html

 

[WalnutHill]

If it were mine, I'd leave the original heating element and fan, and install an STC1000 digital controller.

 

[SharkmanDan]

If it were mine, I'd leave the original heating element and fan, and install an STC1000 digital controller.

As the skies clear today, I'm going to try to work on it a bit. We'll see about the fan. If I can get it going, yes, I'll keep it. But, that heating element just looks dangerous. Just an exposed coil, acting as an inductive resistor, shorting 117VAC, seems awfully dangerous.

 

[bosingleton]

That exposed coil is the same heating element as brand new GQF cabinet incubators, and the best IMO. I'm building one with that same setup, with the STC1000 digital controller.

 

[SharkmanDan]

I'll give it a try. I'm headed over to the carport now, to check out a few things on it. The fan is not frozen, and it feels like it is spinning smoothly. I'm going to fashion something to apply voltage to it, and see, then try the heater.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Well, before cleaning, I just HAD TO satisfy my curiosity, on what would, or would not work, on this.
Considering the cost of that STC 1000, I see no reason, to keep the wafer thermostat. But, I had to find out what it would, or would not do.
1) I tested the fan, and it worked like a charm.
2) I tested the heater, it too, worked very well
3) I removed and replaced the original, power cord, that had been repaired, several times over.
4) I removed all old wiring, except that on the fan motor (only because I could not access the motor end of the wiring)
5) I replaced all old rubber coated wire, with modern PVC coated high heat household electrical 12 and/or 10 gauge wire (didn't have a third color in 12, so I used 10 ga. green for the third conductor
6) I plugged it in and spun the thermostat, to see if it would do it's job, and it does turn the mechanism on and off
So, now, it's a matter of finding a proper setting on the adjustment. But, likely, that STC 1000 will arrive, before I can get this adjusted just right.
All-in-all, not a bad afternoon's endeavor.
Now, I need to clean it out.
Does anyone have a recommended cleaning solution? Or would Mr. Clean, or Pine Sol, be just fine? I was kind of leaning towards maybe an orange oil cleaner.

 

[WalnutHill]

Pine Sol is a great cleaner. Scrub and vacuum all organic material, spray and let soak a few minutes, and scrub thoroughly. Rinse and air dry.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Does anyone know a resource, where I might find the dimensions for the size and position, of the window, as well as trim design, for the lid, on one of these?
It appears that someone at one time, made a well fitting lid for it. But, it's 3/4" plywood, not even marine grade, nor quality hardwood. The plywood edges were left exposed, then the whole cabinet has been refinished, several times over, with both oil and latex base paints. Really mopped on thick.
I'm getting it stripped down, and much of the redwood is in good shape, though the door leaves a great deal to be desired.i want to make a new lid, and may even attempt to make a whole new door. I have all new weatherstripping, and the STC 1000 should be here Tuesday (today is Saturday). I need to find the right hinges, in brass, or polished stainless, and a matching latch for the door. In the mean time, while I make the new door and lid, I will make use of the old ones, and then while I'm not incubating, in the summer, hopefully, I can take it all apart, and finish the restoration, if I can get the door and lid, as well as locate that hardware, by then ($$$$).
I did find a very corroded serial number tag. I can read the numbers, but cannot get the maker I.D. off of it. I'm still assuming a Farm Master. Everything looks too much alike.
Anyway, any help with dimensions, and a look at interior design, would help me get this back together right. It seems to me, that there ought to be some sort of baffle system, both between the top of the eggs, and the front vents, as well as the fan flow, down the back, and the egg trays, and there is none. Just wondering if there are pieces missing, that I might need to fabricate.
Thanks for the help.

Happy Easter and Passover, everyone!